Canal Plus renews Cannes deal

Company remains event's main sponsor

PARIS — French paybox Canal Plus has reupped its exclusive partnership with the Cannes Film Festival until 2011.

The renewal ends months of speculation about the possibility of media giant Orange outbidding the paybox, which has been the fest’s main sponsor for 15 years. Pact gives Canal Plus broadcast rights to all of Cannes’ ceremonies and events, starting with this year’s May 13-24 run.

Last year, Orange became the exclusive partner of the Deauville Film Festival, stealing it away from Canal Plus, the sponsor for the previous eight years.